According to studies generated by the Federal Trade Commission, California has the second highest incident rate of identity theft in the United States. This fact concerns business owners as the need for protecting themselves and their clients from this crime has led to an increased demand for services such as document shredding. Campbell has the highest number of incidents above any other city in the South Bay, in fact.

California Governor Shwarzenegger and Attorney General Bill Lockyer have worked hard to protect consumers from this kind of crime.

California has been the leader in informing the public about the prevalence of the crime and taking steps to prevent it. In his address to the Identity Theft Summit on February 23, 2006 Governor Schwarzenegger warned how easily this crime to happen to anyone:

“Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the country...
It can happen to anybody...it doesn’t matter how big you are, how
little you are, how famous you are, how unknown you are, or if
you’re [in] politics or [in] entertainment... Tiger Woods and Oprah
Winfrey have had their identities stolen; even members of my own
staff have had their identities stolen....Identity theft does more than
hurt individuals; it hurts our businesses and it hurts our economy....
Everyone needs to do their part and be vigilant and not to become
a victim. It means that individuals, businesses, financial institutions,
prosecutors, consumer groups, law enforcement, and all levels of
government—including my office—all have to join forces to protect
our privacy.”
—California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger at the opening ceremony of California’s
Second Annual Identity Theft Summit, February 23, 2006

There are many ways that criminals obtain private information, and a very simple step that can protect businesses, their associates and clients from theft is document shredding. Campbell has reliable, safe and convenient companies that can go out to the business site and collect

The increased prevalence of this crime has led to legislation that protects consumers. The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 specifically mandates the destruction of documents that contain protected information. Other laws such as HIPPA, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act protect the rights of clients and patients from having their information shared with other agencies or associates.

It is particularly the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 that cities specific businesses such as consumer reporting companies, lenders, insurers, employers, landlords, government agencies, mortgage brokers, automobile dealers, attorneys or private investigators, debt collectors and individuals who obtain a credit report on prospective nannies, contractors, or tenants are required to destroy the vulnerable documents that contain this protected information.

These businesses have predominantly opted for destruction of these documents by shredding. Campbell has secure, convenient and reliable companies that provide this service.

The most convenient and effective way to destroy documents is shredding. Campbell in particular has seen a rise in the demand for document shredding businesses and savvy entrepreneurs are responding to the need.

Identity theft is an important concern for all businesses.

The Federal Trade Commission has a hotline where victims of identity theft can report the crime. With this information, the FTC has been influential in providing more information about how consumers are being victimized and this knowledge has enabled law enforcement to better protect consumers.

The Federal Trade Commission reports that San Jose is one of the top five cities most affected by identity theft. The consequences of identity theft are far reaching and hurt not only the individuals whose information has been stolen, but also the economy in the community and the economy as a whole. A very simple and cost effective means to avoid this liability is shredding. Campbell business owners are taking active steps to limit this problem in the Bay Area by utilizing these services.